Rise of the Brave Tangled Dragons

Story of a Bond

The sky became black by the time everyone reached the castle. Merida pulled back a tree branch to see a lot of guards on the wall and at the doors. It was honestly the first time she's seen the castle on high alert. Base on what's been happening, the lords and her father might feel safer. But that's rediculous, their fighters. They would sooner go to war then be cooped up in the castle. Especially when the princess is outside its walls. The only other explanation is that this is Pitch's doing.

But as far as she is with drawing up guesses, Merida can't see any way into the castle.

Elinor's soft purr got Merida's attention, wanting to know what she's seeing.

"I'm afraid it isn't good," Merida said as she positions the tree branch back and looks at her friends. "There are guards everywhere now."

"And I doubt I can carry a bear," Jack said as he leans back against a tree trunk. "And if I make ice stairs they're going to draw too much attention."

"Is there any other way into the castle?" Hiccup asks.

Merida shook her head as she looks back to the castle. "Not that I know of."

As everyone search through their brains for any idea, Elinor's eyes widen as she lifts a claw. As if she was saying eureka.

"You've got something mum?" Merida asks her with a tiny bit of hope in her voice.

Elinor purrs and nods her head. She then waddles her way to the front of the group on her hind legs and points to the bridge that leads to the door. As everyone looks confused, Elinor lowers her claw to an arch under the bridge.

"I think your mom's got a plan," Rapunzel comments as Elinor pushed her way out of the forest and down to the water. Everyone else followed her to see what this plan is.

Once they reached the water's edge, Elinor points her claw at the arch again, just where the water is touching it. Everyone looked at it, but only see a plank of wood there. Jack took his instinct and flew a bit over the water to get a better view.

"It looks like there's a gate over there," Jack said as he flew back to his companions. "I'm guessing that leads back to the castle."

Elinor nods to confirm his theory.

Hiccup looks out and studies the water and the area around them. "It looks like we have to swim," he said. "Using a boat will get us noticed."

"We have Toothless though," Rapunzel points out. "He can just fly some of us across, and Jack can carry someone."

"I can't carry a bear," Jack said while wailing his arms.

"Neither can Toothless," Hiccup said while Toothless nods. Hiccup them looks at the queen, knowing that she will have to swim across, "sorry."

Elinor expected that she will have to do that, and proudly took her first step into the water. She then went down on all fours and walked deeper into the water.

"Wait,"

Elinor turned her head as she watches Merida follow her into the water. "I'm coming with you. Just...so...you wouldn't be alone."

Elinor didn't know how she felt about Merida joining her, but it would be nice to be with her daughter. So Elinor lowered her body so Merida could get on. She didn't feel heavy at all, Elinor felt like she could swim with Merida on her back. She let out a soft groan as she began to swim to the moat. Rapunzel and Hiccup jumped on Toothless and he gently glides his way to the moat. Jack and Baby tooth were not far behind. They stayed with Merida and the queen incase of any attack.

Soon the iron doors came into view, with water flowing at the bottom of the bars. Toothless and Jack hover just near the door as Elinor climbed onto the wooden plank.